Does it look bad to get a B in Calculus 3 (multivariable) after getting A's in both Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 (math/stat major)?

Question

I know that a lot of people say that Calculus 3 is the easiest class out of the calc sequence, but I've had some difficulty with visualizing graphs in 3-dimensions and with vectors, plus I'm taking this course during the summer (so it's faster paced than a normal Calc 3 course). Also, if it means anything, I've never taken a physics or linear algebra course which if I'm correct can help you with Calc 3 since you focus a lot on vectors in those courses...anyways the class isn't over yet. There's still two weeks to go and I'm currently sitting at an 85%. I doubt I'll be able to bring it up to an A with 2 more exams and the final because I've fallen behind and I need to catch up on learning a bunch of material, so right now I'm mainly focused on at least keeping the B that I have.

Also, anyone who is or was a math/stat major or someone took a lot of math in college, can you tell me if material from Calc 3 was used a lot in higher level math courses? I'm just concerned that I may not be learning well enough fundamental concepts that I'll need to know for higher level math.

Thanks in advance for any help

Answer 1

Not really. You're right in that it's the easiest because you already know all the concepts being used so all you're learning is how to apply it to multiple things, i.e. partial derivatives and double/triple integrals. But most people, although we do live in a three dimensional world, have a very hard time visualizing three dimensional objects. I was the same way in some respects, so it's not uncommon.



Calc 3 is going to be important if you decided to take vector calculus, in so much as the working with three dimensional objects. But I found vector calculus to be easier because I already knew everything and more often than not you're working with vector representations of things so a three dimensional object is now represented with two variables instead of three, which makes some of the work easier and less cumbersome. Beyond that mathematics becomes very pure and proof based, unless you want to go more into application, in which case you'll be working mostly with differential equations and partial differential equations where knowing how to manipulate multi-variate structures is important.



Just know that as with calc 1 and 2 you're only on the first step of a new concept, which is the hardest step to take.

Answer 2

B does not mean Bad. If there are some concepts which you just did not understand, then definitely go back and do some reading for understanding, because other things (like electric fields, magnetic fields, for example) do use the 3 dimensional integrals. There are problems in mechanics & materials which use this then vectors and cross products are important as well.

Answer 3

Linear algebra spends a lot of time in 3-space theory and much of what you'd learn in a LA class will be touched on in calc 3.



I learned in my studies that in higher math, I can't afford to put off any chance to review. Reading the chapters and doing as much of the math exercises as you can before lecture will help you immensely. There are areas in LA that won't be immediately beneficial in calc 3, but when you get into differential equations, what you learned in both is essential.



You may wish to redo the calc 3 on your own to make sure you've got the concept. Much of calc three is the same work you found in calc 2, but another dimension is added, which really doesn't complicate things too much. Good review and seeing how the two subjects relate to each other will help you in your understanding of calc 3.

Answer 4

B isn't too bad. At least you still passed. Your Math major is great for a number of possible jobs. See this page for ideas, http://bitly.com/MQ04R5 .